Spreader for sprays



Patented Apt. 19. 193;

PATENT. OFFICE;

eon srasrs John F. um. San Francisco, can.

summon,

No mam. Application m, 12, 193:,

'lClaims.

My invention relates to a spreader for liquid sprays containing insecticides and similar. toxic substances, one object of my invention being to monly used in liquid spray mixtures. without im pairing the toxic eflect' thereof.

Another object is the provision of a spreader having comparatively small bulkwhereby packaging and shipping. costs are minimized, and

which maybeemanufactured and used economically.

. The invention w other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the fore--. going, will beset' forth in the following description of my invention. It is to be understood that -I do not limit myself to this disclosure of species of my invention, as I mayadopt variant embodiments thereof within the scope of the claims.

In the spraying of liquid spray compositions containing insecticides, fungicides, and. similar agents for the protection of vegetation from destructive organisms, it has been common practicetoaddtothespraymixtureanagent (called a spreader) for reducing the surface tension so as-toincrease the area over which the -wi i1 depositaiupona surface. For

M purpose, a mixture of casein, lime and/or deiiocculating agents has been commonly used.

'Iheprodnctsaredissolvedinthespraymixture andtendtoredncethesurfacetension. Theuse oflimeorothersimilaralkalinereagenthasbeen obiectionableasithasresultedinproducingaspreaderoifstronglya-lkslineeharacter Moreoventbelimaorlimeandsodaashreacts withcertainofthe-commonlyusedinsecticides andandmaterlallyredueesthetoxic properiistheseof.

mwhilethemixtureofeaseinwithlimF 45 orlimeandsolhflikmcreorlessefleetfvefor fncreulngtheslleadingprwattesofthespny thereactionolthelimem'iimeand To overcome the objectionable alkaline feature of .the lime-or lime and soda ash-casein spreaders heretofore in general use, I have produced an improved spreader of a: chemically neutral and inert character suitable for use with 5 any of the common toxic agents without impairing the toxicity thereof, and which I have found to be especially eiiicacious and economical in use.

The spreader of my invention preferably comprises a mixture of casein, powdered skimmed 1o milk, and barium sulphate. These ingredients are preferably mixed in the proportion of one part casein to one part powdered skimmed milk and two partsbarium sulphate. The relative amounts of the severalingredients' may be varied 15 within reasonable limits without seriously 1m- ,pairing the eflectiveness of the mixture.

The powdered skimmed milk dissolves in the spray mixtures and serves to reduce the surface tension of the spray mixture ;without im- 20 pairing the toxicity of the toxic agents as in the case .of lime or lime and soda ash such as heretofore commonly used. The casein, by its adhesive property, serves to bind the toxic agent upon the surface sprayed. The barium sulphate g5 lessens the bulk and in conjunction with, the casein and powdered skimmed milk produces an effective spreader of a chemically neutral and inert character. A suitable deflocculator may be added to aid in the suspension of the toxic so agent inthe spray mixture. Powdered, ed milk used. alone with the barium sulphate will reduce the surface tension, butsuch use is not entirely. satisfactory as the skimmed milk must be used in comparatively 35 large quantities to effect the desired-reduction in surface tension in the spray mixture. More- 'over, the powdered skimmed milk, being watar-soluble, is not weather or rainresistant; and lacksthepropertyoflastingadherencerequired and supplied by the casein. and which is necessarytobindthetoxiqagentstothesurface sprayed. Because soluble, the powdered skimmedmilkwhenusednlonetmdstocame anexcessiverunofiotthespnymixtmgtlmsii' causingvaluablesprumaterhhtogotnwaste. insteadoftoabetterspnyeover Bariumsuhihateisprefar'edasaflllerheemse itisehemieallyneutralandinertwithrespeetm totheordinary,tnxicagmts.andlmeedoesnot spreadermtmreiseompantivebsmallzandthe out of eontshlers and'the cost of shining is thereby .56

A small percentage of a deiiocculator, such as gum arable, gum ghattl, or dextrin may be added to the spreadermlxture either by mixing it with the dry ingredients of the spreader, or by addition to the liquid spray mixture. The deflocculatoraids in obtaining a smoother mix and maintaining a more uniiorm suspension throughout the bulk Ofethe liquid spray mixture.

Because of its chemically neutral and inert character, my improved spreader may be used efiectively with any insecticide or fungicide, or combination of spray materials whether acid or alkaline. Thus, the spreader being chemically compatible in acid or alkaline solutions does not react with or lessen the toxicity or arsenicals, iluosilicates, Bordeaux mixture, lime-sulphur, nicotine, or othertoxic agents such as commonly used in liquid sprays.

The quantity of the spreader may be varied in accordance with the nature of the toxic spray required and the purpose for which it is to be used. For ordinary purposes, I have found in I orchard experiment that from A to 5 pound of the spreader. to one hundred gallons of spray mixture gives a satisfactory result, depending upon the properties of the toxic sprayused and the character of the surface upon which themix- The several ingredients are preferably com bined in dry powdered form to obtain a unified mixture which may be added to the. toxic spray solution when it is ready for use. However, my

invention contemplates that the relative amounts oi. each ingredient-may be added separately to the spray solution if desired.

I claim: 1. A spreader for aqueous toxic sprays com-. prising a mixture casein, powdered skimmed milk and barium sulphate.

2. A spreader for aqueous toxic sprays comprising a mixture of substantially equal parts of casein and powdered skimmed milk to which is added barium sulphate in an amount approximately equal to the combined casein and powdered skimmed milk.

3. A spray mixture comprising water and toxic material, and a spreader comprising casein, powdered skimmed milk andbarium sulphate, the

spreader being mixed with the spray inthe pro--' portion 0! approximately V to ya pound to 100 gallons of spray.

4. A spray mixture comprising water and toxic material, and a spreader comprising substantially one part each of casein and powdered skimmed milk and two parts of barium sulphate. the spreader being mixed with the'spray in the proportion of approximately V to pound to one part powdered skimmed and two parts so of barium sulphate.

71. -A spreader for aqueouslsprays comprising a mixture of casein, powdered skimmed milk, and barium sulphate, the mixture being substantially free of lime and the reaction products of lime. a

and casein.

JOHN- F. LI'I'I OOY. 

